What is a Herniated Disc?

Back or neck pain can be frustrating, especially when it starts affecting your sleep, work, or ability to enjoy everyday activities. A common cause of back or neck pain I see in my office is often a herniated disc. They aren’t uncommon; even super-stars like Peyton Manning, Tiger Woods, John Cena and Tom Hardy have had problems with a herniated disc.

Let’s talk about what a herniated disc is:

What is a disc?

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the soft cushion found between our spinal vertebra (back bones). Discs are made of cartilage, the same soft structure that provides cushioning in our knee and other joints. Cartilage is made of proteins, such as collagen, at water. Over the course of our lives, our discs endure repetitive loads from day-to-day activities, such as lifting heaving objects, running, and even walking. This can lead to slow degeneration or “drying” of the discs as the disc loses its water content.

What is a herniated disc?

Our discs have a tough leathery outer layer called the annulus fibrosus (AF) and a soft jelly-like filling called the nucleus pulposus (NP). When a disc gets injured and “herniates,” the tough AF layer can tear, releasing some of the soft NP material into the narrow spinal canal, which contains our spinal nerves!

A herniated disc can occur anywhere in the spine

The most common area of the spine that I see a herniated disc is the lumbar or lower back region. In fact, in the United States, 2-3% of adults are affected annually by a disc herniation. That’s about 3 million people a year suffering with severe pain.

The lower back isn’t the only area I see herniated discs. The cervical spine (neck) can herniate too. Beyond neck pain, this type of herniation can cause shoulder and arm discomfort as well.

Less common areas for a herniated disc are in the thoracic spine (mid-back), but they can occur. I see these in people who have jobs that require heavy lifting, twisting, or whole-body vibration (like truck driving.)

What are the symptoms of a herniated disk?

The most common symptoms of a herniated disk, depend on the location of the herniation. Some herniated discs actually cause little to no pain. Other discs can cause extreme symptoms like pain and even the inability to walk. It’s important to know when to come see me.  Here are a few red-flags to watch for:

• Localized back or neck pain
• Pain that radiates to your arms or legs
• Tingling and numbness in the extremities
• Muscle weakness
• Increased pain with sitting, bending or lifting
• Sharp, sudden pain
• Pain that does not resolve with rest

Some symptoms can mimic other conditions, so it is important to see me if you have pain that is consistent or worsening.

What Causes a Herniated Disk?

Herniated disks can develop for several reasons, including:

• Aging: Basic wear and tear (where the disc loses water as mentioned above)
• Sudden injury or trauma
• Repetitive motions like lifting or twisting
• Poor posture
• Poor body mechanics
• Heredity

Often herniated discs are caused by a combination of things.

How do you fix a herniated disc?

The good news is that many herniated disks improve with non-surgical treatment, such as physical therapy, activity modification, medications, or injections. I typically only recommend surgery when symptoms persist or worsen, or when nerve function is at risk.

Early diagnosis is important so we can make an individualized care plan for you. The key to relieving pain and preventing long-term issues is to identify the problem early on. With the right treatment plan, most patients are able to return to normal activities and enjoy improved quality of life.

If you’re experiencing persistent back or neck pain, learning more about conditions like a herniated disk is an important first step toward feeling better. Let us evaluate your neck and back pain today!